‘“It’s kind of a huge relief,” Ruff said. “It was great to get off to a good start. We got a little bit loose and allowed the home team back in the game again. I guess from the Buffalo side it was great to see the emotion come back in the building as they started to come back. It turned out to be a darn good hockey game.”’

‘“I understand what has happened,” he said. “I’ve watched my share of games. I watched games on the way here. I watch some of the young players play, and I understand where they’re at. It’s tough to see where the team is at in the standings, but I watch how these players play and how some of the young players play, and I think there’s a lot of promise there. I know it is really tough, but I understand where they’re at.”’

‘“It’s hard to watch all of them go,” Miller said Monday night after the Sabres’ 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars in First Niagara Center. “It’s been difficult each time. All these guys have been close friends and great hockey players.”’

‘“I just take it day by day,” Moulson said. “Being from Mississauga, I’m well acquainted with Buffalo. I used to love coming to Bills games. It’s a great city and who knows, it could be for along time. We’ll see what they have in store.”’

‘“I’m not going to lie, that was probably the most nervous I’ve been for a game since my first game in the NHL,” Moulson said after scoring twice in the Sabres’ 4-3 loss to the Stars. “I had a bit of butterflies in the stomach.”’

‘“We traded pretty much every veteran,” Vanek told reporters. “The message was clear they were going for draft picks and youth.” He added: “I enjoyed my time there, but I didn’t want to be a part of that (rebuilding).”’